Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in several French cities on Saturday as some of the most violent protests in years over living costs and public services drew thousands onto the streets.
French authorities said 140 protests involving 32,800 people had been recorded outside Paris by midday and blamed the unrest on what they described as the "ultra-left."
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris' poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher shortages and shabby facilities evolved into a broader movement focused on inequality, public spending and living standards.
Violent incidents were reported in several cities, including vandalism in Marseille and attacks targeting police, media and public buildings, the Interior Ministry said.
Police were visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the routes of two authorized demonstrations.